---
The air was crisp, carrying the scent of earth and distant rain as Luna and Ahava moved through the darkened woods. The Moon Clan's borders were far behind them now, and with each step, the weight of expectation faded from her shoulders.
For the first time in her life, she was free.
Ahava walked beside her in silence, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. He was always alert, always watching. It was a habit formed through years of protecting her, and she knew he wouldn't stop just because they were no longer within the palace walls.
"How does it feel?" Ahava finally asked, breaking the quiet.
Luna exhaled, glancing at the endless stretch of wilderness ahead. "Strange. Exciting. Terrifying."
Ahava smirked. "Good. That means you're alive."
She shot him a look, but he wasn't wrong. Her heart raced—not from fear, but from anticipation.
She had spent years dreaming of this moment, of a life beyond the palace, a life where she wasn't bound by duty. And now, it was real.
But freedom came with a price.
They needed money. They needed a plan.
And most importantly, they needed allies.
"We should head to the trade city," Luna decided. "It's neutral ground—neither the Moon nor Sun Clan holds power there."
Ahava nodded. "A good choice. But you do realize that place is crawling with criminals, right?"
Luna smirked. "Then we'll fit right in."
---
The Trade City – A Den of Rogues
By the time they reached the city, the sun had set, and the streets were alive with chaos. Merchants shouted over one another, selling rare spices, enchanted relics, and weapons forged from celestial metal. The scent of roasted meat and spiced wine filled the air, blending with the less pleasant stench of unwashed bodies and damp stone.
Luna kept her hood up, her night-colored eyes scanning the crowd. She wasn't naive—this city wasn't just a place of trade. It was a battleground of thieves, mercenaries, and assassins.
Ahava walked beside her, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his blade. He looked relaxed, but Luna knew better. He was ready to kill if necessary.
"First, we find work," Luna murmured. "Something that pays well."
Ahava glanced at her. "And what exactly are you willing to do for money?"
She smirked. "Whatever it takes."
As they weaved through the city, a commotion caught their attention. A group of men surrounded a younger man in the alley, kicking him as he curled into himself.
Luna's steps faltered. She knew better than to interfere in city affairs. But something about the scene made her pause.
Ahava noticed. "We don't have time to play hero, Luna."
She clenched her fists. "I know."
But she moved forward anyway.
Ahava sighed. "Of course you do."
With a swift motion, Luna grabbed one of the attackers by the collar and slammed him into the alley wall.
The man choked in surprise. "What the—?"
"Walk away," Luna warned, her voice deadly calm.
The others turned toward her, eyes narrowing. One of them sneered. "Look at this, boys. A little noble thinks she can—"
Before he could finish, Luna struck.
A single, well-placed kick sent him sprawling, and within seconds, the alley erupted into chaos. Ahava, predictably, sighed before joining the fight.
It was over in moments. The attackers groaned on the ground, defeated.
The young man they had been beating coughed, pushing himself up. He had dark, unkempt hair and sharp, intelligent eyes that still burned with defiance. He wiped blood from his mouth and looked up at Luna.
"You didn't have to do that," he muttered.
Luna smirked. "I know."
He studied her for a moment before letting out a breath. "Name's Kiran. You fight well."
"So do you," she noted. "For someone who just got his ass kicked."
Kiran chuckled. "Fair." He stood, wincing. "I owe you one."
Luna tilted her head. "Good. Because I need fighters."
His eyes flickered with interest. "Fighters for what?"
"A clan," she said simply. "One that will change the world."
Kiran considered her words before grinning. "Now that sounds interesting."
Ahava sighed behind her. "You're really recruiting already?"
Luna smirked. "What better place to start than the city of rogues?"
Ahava muttered something under his breath, but he didn't argue.
Kiran dusted himself off. "Alright, mysterious stranger. Count me in."
Luna smiled.
One down.
Many more to go.
---